As delightful as rainy summer days can be, if you have young kids, they might be downright terrifying. The kids…in the house…ALL DAY?! No need to worry. We’ve got 5 ideas that will keep the kids occupied and make your rainy day fun for the whole family! After each idea, we’ll list items you can get ahead of time that would be convenient to have on hand to make the most of your next rainy day.

1. Mom’s Closet

Get out all your most unusual clothes and accessories and let the kids put on a fashion show or a play. Don’t forget hats, scarves, jewelry (not the good stuff, obviously!), shoes, coats, and anything else your kids might get a kick out of! The great thing about this activity is it doesn’t cost you anything (except possibly an extra load of laundry) and you’ll all have a blast. Don’t forget to do a photo shoot!

2. Window Art

There are some excellent products on the market, such as window chalk markers, glass markers, or even dry erase markers will work in a pinch, although the colors won’t be very vibrant. After your kids’ first initial rush of creativity, you could suggest they write encouraging messages to passers-by, play tic-tac-toe, or play Pictionary. When that’s all done, put on some music and have everyone help clean up, dance party style!

*Many times window markers can be found at Lowe’s, Home Depot, the Dollar Store, or online. You can also google “pictionary word ideas for kids” and have a few cards made up with words you know your kids will recognize. You’ll also want to have a roll of paper towels or two stashed away to make clean-up a breeze!

3. Indoor Park

Start with either rolls of brown craft paper or a stack of paper grocery bags and lay them out on the floor in the biggest area you have available. (If you’re using paper grocery bags, make sure the printed side of the bag is facing up.) Use a little tape to keep it all together, then flip it over to reveal your big paper canvas! Give your kids washable markers or crayons and instruct them to draw their own park, complete with slides, swings, trees, flowers, hop-scotch…whatever sounds fun! Then watch how long they’ll play in their paper park! Make sure to take pictures all throughout the process and take a turn on the hop-scotch while you’re at it! Pro tip: put something heavy on the edges of the paper to keep you on your feet during hop-scotch. 

*If you don’t have paper grocery bags, a roll of brown craft paper is fairly inexpensive at places like Walmart or Michaels. Markers and crayons can be found at great prices at the Dollar Store if you don’t have some already. 

4. Bakery

When your kids wake up, have some paper chef hats made and let them know that overnight their kitchen turned into a bakery and they turned into bakers! Planning ahead a little on this activity will save you a lot of thinking and scrambling when your rainy day comes along. Look up several recipes you want to make, and have the ingredients stashed away. You could even include some recipes you know people in your life like to package up and give away. 

https://www.nelliebellie.com/paper-chefs-hat/

*In addition to the ingredients for the recipes, have card stock, tissue paper, tape, and staples on hand to make the chef hats. 

5. Good Old-Fashioned Playing in the Rain

Did you play in the rain as a kid? Some people think it might make kids get sick, but as long as you get them out of their wet clothes and warmed up, it’s actually a very healthy thing for them! Make sure there’s no lightning and let them at it! Have some towels waiting by the door, and have them take a shower or bath when they come in. While they’re cleaning up, make some hot chocolate or hot tea and cuddle on the couch to warm up. Below is a great tried-and-true hot chocolate recipe. 

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Hot Chocolate 

Makes 4 cups 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup hot water
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 4 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Marshmallows or whipped cream for topping 

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, water, and salt over medium heat.
• Cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat, and stir in the milk, do not boil.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.

What rainy day activities do you remember as a kid? 🌧